discordium:Burr: Burr: Mikey1969: Hey dipshiats, how do you compress the air? Happy thoughts? Yes there are manual air compressors, but I'd bet they aren't enough to power a shop full of tools all day.

They are allowed to use hydraulics...

And, under certain circumstances, they are allowed to use gas generators as well.

I am really curious, too. How is it OK to power an air compressor or hydraulics, but not power the saw? Are there Amish rules on direct use of power? Anyone help?

They will use technology as part of their work but refrain from using it to make their home life "easy".

We added an addition to our house this year - we used an Amish framing crew we have known for years.They arrive on time and are working within seconds of arrival. They use a non-Amish person to drive them around (almost an hour to my house) they pay the guy to basically sit there all day and run the occassional errand.

They happily used a gasoline generator, electric and battery powered drills and saws and the "boss" would use the drivers cell phone whenever he needed to make a call - if it is for work they (at least from this sect) can pretty much use whatever is needed to do the job - obviously no one would hire them if it took 50 times as long for them to cut every board with a hand saw and drive every nail with a hammer.

All in all they are very nice people, humble (being humble is very important), hard working and respectful.

Mikey1969:Which produce electricity, and would just cut out the middle man and remove the need for the air powered tools anyway. This is what will keep me up at nights now, everything leads to a new paradox, IMHO.

Sometimes I think it is less about "not using electricity" and more about "staying off the grid". Amish communities thrive on self sustainability and try not to get entrapped with "ease of access to electricity" which would diminish their ability to survive.

My fiance works at a company that creates test kits to detect antibiotics in milk and she talks to amish farmers from time to time on the phone - always struck me as funny

Amish people are generally permitted to use phones. They desire to keep technology and such things out of their homes to minimize the intrusion or effects, but they can go to a centrally-located phone - e.g. in town somewhere - to make a call.

discordium:I am really curious, too. How is it OK to power an air compressor or hydraulics, but not power the saw? Are there Amish rules on direct use of power? Anyone help?

It's kind of complicated. The rules are locally determined by district and bishop and sect. But the general idea is ... Will this technology move people away from their relationship with God/family/religious community? And/or will it bring with it, other influences that may do so?"

For instance, some farmers will have electricity or generator for the barn, but not for the house. Reason being, that you can have a milking operation that conforms to local sanitary laws in order to run your business and sell your milk, but there is no electricity in the house to run TV/Radio/ Microwave that could erode family life and bring in outside ideas/values.

Sometimes there's just generator because being connected to the grid is forcing you to be a part of the outside world. Not that have to buy diesel for your generator doesn't connect you to the world either, but some see it as a lesser evil.

Again, it all varies by sect. And remember that this is religion that we're talking about. Religion can produce all kinds of cognitive dissonance if you think about it too hard.

Remember a few years ago when that psycho attacked and killed some kids in one of their schools? IIRC the cops killed him, but the Amish weren't screaming for vengeance. They were sad, but very calm and even forgiving. That may sound a bit crazy but it's actually very sane.

If I'm ever really down on my luck and become homeless I'm going to find an Amish community. I have no doubt that they'd offer me a place to sleep and some food to eat. It might not be luxurious, but it would be better than sleeping on the street. They'd probably expect me to do some chores, but that's totally fair.

Maybe I'm wrong. I know they don't really like outsiders, but if I were willing to make an effort, I think they'd help.

dittybopper:Burr: Mikey1969: Hey dipshiats, how do you compress the air? Happy thoughts? Yes there are manual air compressors, but I'd bet they aren't enough to power a shop full of tools all day.

They are allowed to use hydraulics...

OK, so you could hook a manual compressor up to a water wheel, and just let the thing run. Tank would have a safety valve that when activated shut down the water source via compressed air piston closing off the sluice. A separate valve would vent the piston when tank pressure dropped below some minimum number, piston would retract, and the sluice would open, causing the water wheel to turn and thus charging up the tank again.